Mayor Bloomberg and the leaders of 17 other cities are reviving a push against letting food stamps be used to buy soda and other sugary drinks.
In a letter sent to congressional leaders yesterday, the mayors say it’s “time to test and evaluate approaches limiting” the use of the subsidies for sugar-laden beverages, in the interest of fighting obesity and related diseases.The other cities whose mayors signed the letter included Los Angeles, Chicago, Baltimore, Boston, and Philadelphia. Phoenix; Portland, Ore.; Providence, R.I.; Salt Lake City; San Francisco; St. Louis; and Seattle.
“We need to find ways to strengthen the program and promote good nutrition while limiting the use of these resources for items with no nutritional value, like sugary drinks, that are actually harming the health of participants,” said Bloomberg, whose office released the letter.
“Why should we continue supporting unhealthy purchases in the false name of nutrition assistance?”